Amnesia

Amnesia refers to a health complication in which an individual suffers loss of memory. Memory storage takes place in the limbic system and any complication that alters the function of this system of the brain can lead to memory loss-amnesia. At times amnesia appears in intermittent spontaneity, in which case it is referred to as transient Global .There Exist different forms of Amnesia. There is a situation in which the patient looses memory stored on long term basis. This is due to the inability to create new memories, lack of memorization. This leads to a situation in which the patient constantly forgets events or even people after a few minutes. This happens because the conscious memory is not successfully transferred to the long term memory for permanent storage. This condition is referred to as Anterograde amnesia and is very common in older men in which case the patients suffer serious loss of memory for hours of minutes

The other form occurs by causing the loss of memories that pre-exist in the mind. It impairs conscious recollection to a degree that is not normal. It initially affects the patient’s latest memories and the magnitude of the memories lost is dependent on the seriousness of the attack. The patient is unable to recollect any memory that he or she had before the amnesia attack but can register new memories. This form of Amnesia is called retrograde amnesia The condition rarely impacts the factual memory which a person has but in almost all cases it affects the autobiographical information in the persons brain.

Causes Of Amnesia?

Amnesia can be caused by organic or functional factors. The Organic causes comprise damage caused to the brain in event of injury or due to abuse of drugs mostly the sedatives. Amnesia itself could also signify the presence of other diseases like the Alzheimer’s disease. The functional causes comprise of psychological elements.

The discussed below are the common types of Amnesia and their causes:

Post-traumatic-This kind of amnesia results from head injury during a fall or when the head is knocked. This kind of amnesia can be Anterograde, can be retrograde of mixed. The permanence or duration which this kind of amnesia takes is largely depended on the extent of the injury. Traumas of a mild degree can also cause a light whiplash in which case the patient looses memory of the events preceding the accident. This occurs as a result of complication occurring during the transfer of short term memory to long term memory.

Dissociative amnesia is psychologically induced and include the following forms:

Dissociative Figue other times referred to as fugue state. It results from psychological stress, temporary and rarely treated and therefore comes intermittently during which the individual may suffer complete loss of memory or may completely lose their identity or in other cases the individual may form new identity and have a tendency to travel far from home purposefully.

Repressed memory is likewise another form of dissociative amnesia. In this case the patient normally forgets totally about traumatic events that they went through and this could be a violent abuse to their person or an accident. This is a defense mechanism because although the memory exists in the mind of the person, access to the information is locked by the brain. The patient is in position to learn new things and at times eventually recover fully from the amnesia.

Post Hypnotic is an amnesia that results from the suggestions made to the patient when being hypnotized. The patient suffers loss of memory of what happened during the procedure and can also loose all past memory.

Childhood amnesia otherwise referred to as infantile amnesia is the inability to recall childhood events. This is very common and scientists such as Sigmund Freud Attributed this to a phenomenon he called sexual repression. While this is subject to debate, the contemporary scientific explanations attribute it to developmental psychology.

Transient Global is amnesia which medics and clinicians are well conversant with. The patients suffer loss of events that took place considerable minutes back. It is distinct as irregularities within the hippocampus at times are visualizable using an advanced brain imaging using magnetic resonance devices. There is no clear cause and theories surrounding it include transient reduction in the blood flow, symptom of a seizure, abnormal migraine.

Blackout phenomenon is common among alcoholics and occurs on taking excess alcohol over a short duration. The amnesia resulting is anterograde as the individual suffers complete loss of memory of the events that took place during the drunk moments.

Korsakoff’s syndrome is an amnesia that comes due to long term consumption of alcohol or due to malnutrition. The patient normally has brain damage which is caused by lack of vitamin B1. In this case the individual’s short term memory appears normal but recalling past events proves to be tricky.

Drug induced amnesia is purposefully induced to help the patient lose memory of the surgery or medical operation. The doctors inject the patient with amnesiac drugs to reduce possible trauma associated with the process. The drugs used include midazolam and flunitrazepine. The patient normally losses the short term memory of the events that took place but after the drug wears off, memory is restored to full functionality.

Situation specific is an amnesia attack can occur in many different conditions like when a child is sexually abused. Claims exist that in such situations the consciousness is narrowed to focus on the main details and that the traumatic occurrences are processed in a way different form the normal memory.

Symptoms Of Amnesia

Impairment of the ability to memorize new data, that is to say the patient finds it difficult to recall subsequent information once the condition sets in.

Impairment of the ability to recall past familiar memories. The patient has difficulty remembering the past events.

The patient possesses false memories, which is the result of mental invention or could be a fabrication of confused real memories.

Movements which are uncoordinated

Complications of short term memories

The patient does not recognize places or people.

Partial or the total loss of memory.

Amnesia Home Remedies

Remember, you should always consult with your physician in order to get a proper diagnosis and before trying to incorporate these home remedies yourself! Here are some of the home remedies for Amnesia that you can try.

Family Support-The support of the family is absolutely crucial in helping a patient recover from Amnesia attack. Both psychiatrists and psychologists agree with the fact that factors which facilitate reality orientation may sooth the patients back to normalcy. The familiar objects, scents, photographs and sound may stimulate the memory and therefore cause a recollection of the lost memories.

Apples-they are rich in vitamins and minerals. These nutrients are very essential in the treatment of amnesia. Eat an apple each day to enhance quick and effective treatment of the disease. Apples enhance your concentration and help to improve memory.

Black pepper and honey-make a mixture of the ingredients and take it early in the morning on an empty stomach. You can also use black pepper in your food to enhance effective treatment of amnesia.

Herb sage-prevents and treats amnesia. Use sage leaves to make tea and drink it on daily basis for quick and effective treatment of the condition.

Walnuts-they are known to boost memory in persons living with and without amnesia. Eat 20grams of walnuts a day for improved and sharp memory.

Rosemary-use rosemary leaves to prepare tea and drink it twice a day. It helps to improve your memory. Rosemary can also be used when cooking food including rice, meat and other daily meals for effective and quick treatment.

Almonds-it is essential to eat a lot of almonds to treat amnesia and to prevent emotional effects on the brain. Soak almonds and eat them after removing their coating. You can also use sandalwood and almonds to make a paste. Inhale the paste for as long as you can to activate your brain cells.

Fruits- it is vital to include a lot of fruits in your diet. Grapes, figs, oranges and raisings provide essential vitamins and tonic that the brain requires for it to function normally.

Meditation and yoga-they are excellent ways of relaxing the mind and making it alert, active and making the brain sharp.

Eat basil leaves in the morning and in the evening to improve your memory and treat amnesia.

Carrot juice-carrots are anti oxidants and help to enhance normal brain functions.

Diet For Amnesia

Due to the fact that malnutrition could be one of the factors that lead to the amnesia attack, the diet has a central role to play in ensuring that the brain functions properly. The following are some of the food elements which the amnesia patient should avoid at all cost:

Caffeine present in coffee and other carbonated drinks

Tea

Alcohol

Refined Sugar

White flour

The recommended foods for amnesia patients include:

Apples,

Grapes

Oranges

Dates

Nuts

Prevention Of Amnesia

Prevention of amnesia involves taking precautionary measures and avoiding unhealthy habits that would lead to the damage of the brain, the below are a list of ways to avoid amnesia attack.

Avoid excessive Consumption of alcohol

Helmets should be won whenever one is cycling and a seat belt fastened whenever in a car or when driving

Infections should be treated with immediate effect before they affect the brain

In case an individual has symptoms which show the possibility of stroke or aneurysm, immediate medical assistance should be sought. The symptoms for such attacks include very severe headaches, numbness on one side of the body etc.